THE REVIVAL TIMES

The weather was less than perfect this past November, but it still happened.  Due to issues with water over the dam, the 2018 Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival had to be rescheduled to one of the COLDEST NOVEMBER WEEKENDS EVER! Nevertheless, the 5th annual vintage auto event was another huge success thanks to all the volunteers, the Committee Chairs, fans, sponsors and supporters who gave their time to make this event so worthwhile. In past years, LGGPR has donated thousands of dollars to area charities or civic groups, and this year three local organizations reaped the benefits of the 3-day affair.  $500...

There is a unique thrill in watching vintage racing footage — especially when it captures a moment in time that helped shape a community’s passion for motorsport. The 1961 Lake Garnett Grand Prix sits squarely in that place where history, enthusiasm, and pure racing spirit intersect. Just a few years after the original events began, this race showcased drivers and cars at the height of early American sports car competition — raw, spirited, and deeply connected to local fans. This video is more than moving images. It’s a window into a bygone era where the roar of engines echoed across...

by Jason Pendleton View Original Document Freedom, freedom, freedom” chanted the swelling crowd of young people that had converged on the courthouse square to voice its anger over the arrests of its peers by local police. Late into the night of July 6, 1963, the local police and sheriff’s authorities stood face to face with an angry mob of more than two thousand. Acutely aware that the situation was moving beyond their ability to control, the local authorities sought assistance from the state police and the governor. Highway patrolman and other law enforcement authorities from as far away as the state capital raced...

This red metal-on-wood plaque is a unique piece of Lake Garnett racing history. Featuring a detailed map of the lake with labeled corner names, it reflects the layout of the course that hosted multiple forms of motorsport during the 1960s. The plaque notes that the event was “Sanctioned by I.K.F.,” most likely referring to the International Kart Federation, a national karting sanctioning body established in the late 1950s. Kart racing events were held at Lake Garnett during the same era as the original Grand Prix road races, though they were separate competitions with their own organizers and sanctioning structure. While...

This scanned program from the 1962 Lake Garnett Grand Prix showcases the continued growth of the event during the early 1960s. Inside are race lineups, event information, and advertisements that reflect both the motorsport culture and the strong local support behind the races. We appreciate Susan Wettstein for helping preserve this piece of Lake Garnett Grand Prix history.

Grace Harris was from Kansas City and loved racing airplanes and cars. She was the first FAA licensed balloonist. Grace knew Kansas Citian Mastin Gregory. Grace Harris won the 1959 Ladies Group at Lake Garnett in an English Elva MkII made by Frank Nichols. Elva was a corruption of “elle va” meaning “she goes.” Grace Harris won the Women’s Division of the Midwest Region SCCA in 1958, ’59 and ’60. In 1980 she wrote her book “West to the Sunrise” and has a scholarship in her name for female aviation students. Although this is not her car, it is very...

There’s something magnetic about watching vintage race footage — especially when it takes you back to a time when grassroots motorsport was still finding its feet and every event carried a sense of discovery. The 1960 Lake Garnett Grand Prix is one of those moments captured on film that speaks to the heart of early American road racing. This original video brings you into an era where enthusiasm powered the sport as much as the cars themselves, and where the community gathered beside a lakeside course to witness speed and skill in motion. A Glimpse Into 1960 Road Racing By...

Toly Arutunoff is an internationally celebrated sports car racer and unique car collector.  He raced a 1957 Porsche Carrera Speedster GS at the original Lake Garnett Grand Prix in 1959, the first year.  Toly raced all over the SCCA races in the U.S and also raced in Europe.  He won the 1981 H-Production SCCA national championship and the President’s Cup. Toly came back to the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary and to run his 2002 Qvale Mangusta in the 80 MPH group.  Toly and Brian Haupt (who raced in 1972, the last year of...

Yesterday marked a significant milestone as the resurfacing of the Lake Garnett Raceway was officially completed, ensuring the track’s legacy will endure for years to come. To celebrate this achievement, Tracy Modlin, president of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (LGGPR), presented a check for $90,428.60 to the Garnett City Commission last night, with the funds coming directly from the “Save the Track” initiative.  This fund, made possible by the generous donations of countless supporters, plus major contributions from the City of Garnett, Goppert State Service Bank, Kansas Tourism, Thrive Allen County, and McAnany Construction Inc., is a testament to...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 1, 2024 — Lake Garnett, USA In a shocking turn of events at the 2023 Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (LGGPR), Russ Sifers, the beloved owner of Valomilk candy company and connoisseur of speed (or lack thereof), managed to secure the highly coveted black flag during his daring drive in his vintage 1949 MGTC. Known for its leisurely pace, the MGTC boasts a top speed of 45 to 50 mph on a good day, making it the envy of garden snails worldwide. However, this didn’t stop Sifers from igniting the track with his version of breakneck...

This image captures a published article from Victory Lane Magazine highlighting the history and spirit of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Written by longtime participant and sponsor Russ Sifers, the piece reflects both firsthand experience and deep appreciation for the event’s legacy. Russ has been an integral part of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix community for years, and his article helps share that story with a wider audience of vintage racing enthusiasts. We are proud to see the Grand Prix recognized in print and grateful for Russ’s continued support of the event.

The LGGPR was delayed until November which brought snow and 14F weather! A few of the HVR drivers came from TX, OK, KS, and MO to overcome the cold and enjoy some great camp fire time and fun driving on the track! HVR truly appreciates being able to participate in this one of a kind event! See you in 2019!

This scanned program from the original 1959 Lake Garnett Grand Prix offers a detailed look at the event as it was presented to spectators more than six decades ago. Spanning approximately 28 pages, the program provides insight into the race schedule, participating drivers, sponsors, and the atmosphere surrounding one of the early years of the Grand Prix. It captures not only the competition itself, but the community support and organization that made the event possible. We are grateful to Susan Wettstein for preserving and sharing this remarkable piece of Lake Garnett Grand Prix history.

I want to thank Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Board members for helping with this effort. They put on a fantastic event every year and they are also helping to bring that same spirit to kids who don’t have the chance to zoom around. About Geeks for Kids Geeks for Kids builds custom electric cars and other assistive devices for kids with movement limitations; we empower kids to explore their world independently – often for the first time in their lives. With this freedom, they are no longer sitting on life’s sidelines, passive observers from strollers and wheelchairs.  Last year,...

This feature article, published in Southeast Kansas Living (Spring 2025), highlights the vibrant racing heritage of Garnett and the continued impact of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. The piece captures both the rich history of the original races and the renewed energy surrounding the modern event. Coverage like this helps share the story of Garnett’s motorsport legacy with readers across the region. To discover more stories from Southeast Kansas, subscribe to Southeast Kansas Living and receive each issue in your mailbox: www.sekliving.com. Submitted by Susan Wettstein.

These stunning aerial views capture Lake Garnett and the historic race course from above, offering a perspective few get to see on race weekend. The sweeping shoreline, winding roads, and scenic setting highlight why this venue has been such a special part of racing history. Taken by Danny DeWald, these images showcase the unique layout of the track and the natural beauty that surrounds it. From above, you can truly appreciate how the course wraps around the lake and why it continues to be such an iconic setting for the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival.

Watching old race footage is like opening a time capsule — one filled with era-specific machines, community spirit, and a speed-hungry enthusiasm that still resonates today. The 1964 Lake Garnett Grand Prix was a testament to how far American road racing had come in just a few short years. Cars were quicker, drivers more experienced, and circuits like Lake Garnett had become beloved gatherings for competitors and fans alike. This original footage preserves that moment — bringing you trackside at a time when sports car racing was still young, vibrant, and deeply local. The Racing Scene in 1964 By the...

We are proud to share that great grandsons Trevor and Derek were featured on the back cover of The Sacred Octagon, the official magazine of the New England MG T Register. The Register is an international organization, and its publication is distributed throughout the United States and Europe. The photograph was taken during last year’s Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, capturing not only a special family moment but also the spirit of vintage motoring that defines the event. It is exciting to see Lake Garnett represented on an international stage, highlighting the next generation of enthusiasts who continue to carry...

Original Article Credit: https://www.davemacdonald.net July 7th 1963 – Dave MacDonald and the Shelby American team arrive at Lake Garnett Kansas and a full blown Cobra vs Corvettebattle is about to go down. Dave will run Shelby team Cobra CSX2128 Legend has it that racer Bob Johnson – fresh off a June 30th 1963 victory at Watkins Glenn NY, was hauling his independant Cobra out to Kansas for the July 7th Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Johnson had just won the USRRC event in NY finishing just ahead of two Shelby American Cobras driven by Dave MacDonald & Ken Miles. Johnson was...

Dick Knudson called the MG “The Sports Car America Loved First” in his 1975 book. The TC was quite the sports car in its day and it still is for me today. Running it each year at the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (www.LGGPR.org) each year in the Historic Class (older and slower cars) is a thrill for me. Last year my mechanic (wife Pam) said we hit 67 on the back straight away. OK, it has an old erratic speedometer, we were going downhill somewhat and there was a little tail wind, but I am still claiming a death...